Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program

09/11/2026

🩺 "Your body doesn't know the difference between getting report and being chased by a bear."

That powerful insight from Alex Gover of Presbyterian Healthcare Services perfectly captures the reality of transition shock for many new nurses.

In our latest Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast episode, Alex and Keri Sickels discuss how their organization supports new graduate nurses through connection, mentorship, and professional development.

🎧 Listen here: https://bit.ly/4gVOaTX

09/10/2026

🌼 Congratulations to IONRP Resident Darby Murabito on Receiving a DAISY Award®! 🌼

We are proud to celebrate Darby Murabito, a participant in the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP), for receiving a DAISY Award® recognizing her extraordinary nursing care and compassion.

Darby was nominated by a colleague who witnessed her skillfully and compassionately care for a behavioral health patient during a challenging overnight shift. Her actions reflected the very qualities that define exceptional nursing: courage, respect, empathy, professionalism, and a steadfast commitment to patient-centered care.

This achievement also highlights the power of partnership in supporting new graduate nurses. Through the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program, residents like Darby benefit from the dedicated support of both an IONRP residency facilitator and an on-site coordinator at their employing organization. Together, they help guide new nurses through their transition into professional practice.

We are grateful to Lauren Fisher, MSN, RN, CPN, Clinical Onboarding and Workforce Development Coordinator at Dolly Parton's Children's Hospital, for sharing Darby's accomplishment with us and for her ongoing partnership in supporting nurse resident success.

Please join us in congratulating Darby on this well-deserved recognition! 💙

Congrats to Darby, the June DAISY Award recipient!

A colleague said, "It is blatantly obvious that Darby has a heart of gold and knows the perfect way to shine her kindness upon others, even under the most challenging circumstances. I truly cannot think of a better example of our core values in action. Darby is incredibly deserving of the DAISY Award."

We are proud to partner with DAISY as we have extraordinary staff at Dolly Parton Children's Hospital. Join our amazing team by applying today at www.dollychildrens.org/careers

09/10/2026

📬 Our September 2026 Newsletter is here!

Catch up on the latest news, program updates, professional development resources, podcast highlights, and upcoming opportunities from the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program.

Read the September issue: 🔗 https://conta.cc/4cBCnZT

Interested in receiving future issues? Click the Join Our Email List button at the top of the newsletter to subscribe and stay connected with IONRP.

09/09/2026

🎉 Welcome to Our September 2026 Online Cohort!

We're excited to welcome one of our largest online cohorts to the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program!

This cohort includes participants from:

• Avera Health St. Mary's Hospital
• BVRMC
• ChildServe
• Ephraim McDowell Health
• Fairchild Medical Center
• Floyd Valley Healthcare
• Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital
• Kittitas Valley Healthcare (first cohort!)
• Lakes Regional Healthcare
• Pulaski Memorial Hospital
• TRU Community Care
• UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center (first cohort!)

Led by Program Coordinator Amanda Bruscher, residents will begin connecting with peers and engaging in evidence-based learning through their first live discussion the week of September 21.

We're proud to partner with these organizations as they support the successful transition of new graduate nurses into professional practice. Welcome to the IONRP family! 💙

09/08/2026

📚 Nursing Professional Development Week (September 13-19) is an opportunity to recognize the educators, mentors, coaches, and leaders who help nurses grow throughout their careers.

In this month's guest blog, IONRP Coordinator Amanda Bruscher reflects on the important role Nursing Professional Development (NPD) practitioners play in supporting nurses from onboarding and residency programs to lifelong professional growth.

Read the blog: https://bit.ly/4i6OwJM

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day to all Nurses and Nurses-to-be! THANK YOU!

09/06/2026

🎉 Happy Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Week! (September 13-19, 2026)

The latest episode of the Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast is now available. Host Nicole Weathers is joined by Keri Sickels and Alexandra Gover from Presbyterian Healthcare Services to discuss how their team reimagined its nurse residency program to support a growing number of new graduate nurses while strengthening connection, engagement, and retention.

From innovative seminar experiences and simulation-based learning to practical strategies for supporting today's nursing workforce, this episode offers valuable takeaways for nurse residency and professional development leaders alike.

🎧 Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2240285/episodes/19638159

09/03/2026

🎓🎉 Congratulations to the September 2025 Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program cohort!

Last week, 30 nurse residents from 12 healthcare organizations came together virtually to celebrate the completion of their year-long residency.

Throughout the residency year, each resident developed a professional experience that allowed them to apply concepts, strategies, and knowledge gained through the program in their practice setting. During the completion celebrations, residents shared their professional experiences with fellow cohort members, highlighting their growth, lessons learned, achievements, and the impact they have made during their first year as professional nurses.

We are especially excited to celebrate Myrtue Medical Center's first residency cohort and the first St. Anthony Regional Hospital residents to complete the program!

Thank you to our participating facilities:

• ChildServe
• Myrtue Medical Center
• Lynn Community Health Center
• Avera St. Mary's Hospital
• Summit Pacific Medical Center
• St. Anthony Regional Hospital
• TRU Community Care
• St. Paul's Senior Services
• Kane County Hospital
• Lakes Regional Healthcare
• Ridgeview Medical Center
• Dolly Parton Children's Hospital

Congratulations to all 30 residents! We are proud of your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence during your first year of nursing practice. ❤️